Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns BFR 500 jrh

Who here has one of these bad boys? I’ve been thinking about getting one and wanted to hear from those who own one. How do they shoot? I’m looking at getting the 5.5” barreled bfr for backwoods protection in bear country and for hunting. Would love to hear your thoughts and conclusions on this pistol

This is one of my favorite revolver configurations ever. I have two of them right now with a 5 1/2-inch barrel. The power to weight ratio of this revolver is significant. I've killed some really big animals with mine and they've never left me feeling I needed something more. This Cape buffalo fell to one of my BFR .500 JRHs last year. It's a lethal caliber when loaded correctly.

Very nice. Where do you get your brass at? Do you cut down 500 s&w to 1.4” and call it good?

You can cut .500 Smith brass to 1.4-inches and call it good. The BFR is cut (counter-bored) to handle the larger rim of the .500 Smith. I use Starline .500 JRH brass. Got my first .500 JRH eight or nine years ago and have always had Starline brass.

I also have 2 in 500 JRH one us built on a FA83 with a 5 1/2" barrel and the other usxa BFR with a 5" barrel. I Shiva mature bull elk through the rib cage with a 440 grain flat point gard cast @ about 1000 FPS that blew a 3 to 4 inch exit. The terminal perform is outstanding

I also use Starline brass

Mine's a Ruger but IMHO, the .500JRH has really superseded the .475 in terminal performance. To me it just makes more sense than either Linebaugh cartridge. It costs more but I got properly headstamped brass from Buffalo Bore.

Does star line sell 500 jrh brass? Didn’t see any on their website

They do runs from time to time

Good to know. Just curious what kind of optics you all use and what type of accuracy is the BFR 500 jrh capable of?

500 JRH is very accurate, I do not use an optic on my handguns. Whitworth I believe still uses an Ultradot.

The Buffalo Bore brass is Starline.

And as of right now, the only source for that brass is Buffalo Bore.

I use an Ultradot Four on one and open irons on the other.

My favorite too. Accuracy is crazy. I shot this at 100 yards.

Good accuracy right there. Where can I find hogue mono grips for the BFR 500jrh? Ask when loading the 500 s&w cases do you all use wlp primers or large rifle?

Are they hard to clean and how do they taste?

LP

I use Fed 155, LP mag. You need to watch S&W brass, some were cut for LP and others for LR, just use LP in both.

Get it with their Bisley grip frame, it's much better.

This~~~~~~~~

I am always so amazed at the punishment these SAA frames can endure.

Hahahahaha!

Getting ready to buy a BFR in 500 jrh is there anything one needs to know price wise that should steer me in another direction caliber wise? 475 linebaugh or 500 linebaugh any better/cheaper for buying components?

It’s a great caliber choice and my favorite of the three mentioned in this post. My only suggestion would be to get it with the Bisley grip frame. It’s exponentially better than the plow handle when recoil levels start climbing.

I will agree with Whitworth. I don't like a Bisley but MR has one that is different, there is room behind the guard for my huge finger.
Just get the .500 BFR, no funny size bullets or brass. Cost is about the same as the .475. I think it costs me 13 cents a round and the .44 is a dime. I cast my own and made the molds. Cuts the cost down so I let everyone shoot all they want. Recoil with the .500 JRH seems less then the .475 with less torque. But both are great for hunting.
You just can't walk into Walmart and buy a box.
Whitworth brought his gun here and made me a believer so I cut a mold and did this at 50 yards working loads.
By the way Whitworth, I still have the .500 Linebaugh mold. I can mill for an RCBS or Lyman handle since Rapine handles are gone when Ray retired. You can have it free. Let me know.

Do you sell cast bullets for the jrh bfrshooter? Also I assume you can use 500 s&w dies for the jrh?

No I don't sell bullets, ww's are hard to find.
Yes .500 S&W dies. Get Hornady dies. But I will tell you dimensions to have a mold made.

What is a good chest/shoulder holster to get? I’m looking to get one for bear hunting/hiking when out with the wife and kids

I use Uncle Mikes and snaps on the strap. But on stand the holster is open or gun in hand. If you have Velcro, you might as well be on the fourth with fireworks. The best is to have the gun in hand. Then learn to cock without a sound by holding the cylinder to dampen noise. A deer will hear a click from 50 yards. Some want a Ruger to have all the clicks like a Colt. Even pay for it. Leave it home. If an animal is 40 yards or under, how do you cock a Freedom or colt without spooking?

I have a really nice rig by Graveyard Jack's and a couple of really nice chest rigs from 7x Leather. The Galco Kodiak Hunter is another option (the ones made for Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk work).

Great thanks for the info

Keep us posted!

El Paso Saddlery 1942 Tanker. Works well with backpack or chest waders

Dang, all this talk of the 500 JRH reminds me to send my BFR .50AE back to Magnum Research for a .500 JRH cylinder!! The 50AE round is fairly useless, as you cannot crimp enough to hold the bullets in place!

Anyone here know of good prices for a used or new BFR 500 jrh or 475 linebaugh? I’m ready to buy

You have to understand that once you get one you will be buried with it. Even those that fear the guns will not part with them. I think it will be hard to find a used one. They are like your dog. Would you EVER give it away or have it put to sleep for nothing?